One person has died from Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) out of four confirmed cases recorded within the first and second weeks of January in the Nandom District of Upper West Region.

The confirmed cases formed part of the 14 suspected ones that were reported within the period, Dr Winfred Ofosu, Deputy Director of Public Health made this known at a Regional Epidemic Management Committee meeting in Wa.

Briefing members of the committee Dr Ofosu said a total of 192 CSM cases were reported in the region and with 19 deaths last year.

Sixty-four measles cases were recorded among children but with no deaths and 36 yellow fever cases were confirmed with one dead, while all the six persons who reported cases of rabies died.

Dr Ofosu said Jirapa District was worst hit with CSM, registering 126 cases with nine deaths and followed by the Wa Municipality with 15 cases and three deaths.

The Lambussie-Karni District reported 14 cases and four deaths, Nandom with 11 cases and one death and Nadowli, nine cases with no death.

Lawra District accounted for five cases, Sissala West District, four cases, Wa West, two cases and Sissala East District one case with no deaths.

The Wa East District registered two cases and with one death.

Dr Ofosu said 37 cholera cases were reported during the year with one death.

He said the regional health directorate has maintained surveillance on epidemic-prone diseases and diseases in general, which had helped in the early detection and containment of cholera outbreak in three districts.

It has also intensified its vaccination activities among children, radio discussions is ongoing to educate the public on Ebola, while distribution of materials including drugs to health facilities had been carried out.

Dr Ofosu said manning high level surveillance at the borders to track down persons coming from high risk Ebola countries, training health staff on Ebola and surveillance response to Ebola, cholera and meningitis as well as monitoring meningitis thresholds is ongoing.

The Deputy Director called on stakeholders to play their roles appropriately and participate actively in the education process to help reduce the effects of epidemic-prone diseases.